Traffic and parking violation control



Jan. 30, 1968 s. EPSTEIN ET AL TRAFFIC AND PARKING VIOLATION CONTROL Filed March 24, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet i Jan. 30', 1968 Filed March 2 4,

S` EPSTEIN ET AL 4 TRAFFIC AND PARKING VIOLATION CONTROL 1 LTL/*O 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan.'30, 1968 s. EPSTEIN ET AL TRAFFIC AND PARKING VIOLATION CONTROL Filed March 2 4, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet United States Patent O 3,366,023 TRAFFIC AND PARKING VIOLATION CONTROL Sidney Epstein and David Epstein, both of 3611 Flatlands Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11234 Filed Mar. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 442,373 3 Claims. (Cl. 95--1.1)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for the rapid acquisition and photographic recordation of selective identifying data relative to vehicle identification, character of offense, complainant otlicer identification, place and time of recordation and the like in digital form to permit automatic issuance of summonses for automotive traliie violations and maintenance of records associated therewith by data processing machines.

This invention relates to a law enforcement apparatus and system with particular application to automotive tratc parking problems.

It is a well-known fact that the modern metropolis (New York city is a case in point) is slowly strangling on its own automotive traiiic, both literally and figuratively. One of the prime causes of this unhealthy, exasperating, costly, and time-consuming situation is the flagrant and persistent violation of the driving, parking, and standing regulations by the drivers of automotivevehicles. To combat infractions of said laws, the principal law enforcement weapon is the summons or iicket Because of the archaic, ineicient, and time-consuming prior art methods of generating and issuing tickets, the odds against an offending motorist getting a ticket are very good; so good, in fact, that a great many drivers completely ignore posted traffic and/or parking regulations.

The most common prior art procedure for generating a summons to pay a ne or to appear in court to answer for a violation of traiiic (orsanitation, fire, etc.) codes, requires the policeman (or sanitation inspector, fireman, meter maid, etc.) to ll in the blank spaces on the summons blank and attendant stub with pertinent information, in longhand script. Filling out these forms longhand in all kinds of weather and faced by irate, argumentative drivers, if they happen to be present, is a time consuming and unpleasant task. In practice this mode of operation is unsagisfactory from any point of view; e.g., it is quite easy to understand that an officer may very well be overwhelmed by the futility of it all as he surveys block after block of illegally parked cars.

A fitting companion to the archaic method of generating tickets is the equally archaic prior art techniques and systems for processing and recording same. The subject invention, in conjunction with a suitable data processing system to be described later, will eliminate the current chaos and inefficiency engendered both by the present means of generating tickets and the present methodology of processing said traffic and parking tickets.

In addition to the police problems mentioned above, there are many other situations in which` the data acquisition apparatus, and its associated data processing systern, may be a powerful tool for law enforcement in general and traic law enforcement in particular. For example:

Privileged vehcles.-Some vehicles, such as those bearing MD license plates, are customarily allowed to violate the law in order to perform a specific and vital function. However, this privilege is often abused. By maintaining a record of parking violations charged to a particular vehicle, and the circumstances surrounding said violations, such abuses maybe curbed.

ICC

Street cleaning- To facilitate the cleaning of streets by mechanized equipment, parking is usually banned on lone side of the street for a few hours each day on alternate week-days. Cars parked in defiance of posted lbans interfere with and nullify efforts to keep the city Olean. Equipping the drivers of the mechanized sweepers with the data acquisition apparatus of the subject invention could do much to rectify this situation.

Bus service- Improved bus service would alleviate the traffic situation; however, in one way or another, the automobile manages to thwart any such efforts. Vehicles are parked or stand in bus stops; vehicles congest the city streets. Some time ago, the traic commissioner of New York city tried to ease the tratlic problem by speeding yup bus service. He reasoned that if bus service was faster and more efficient, many motorists and commuters concept, but it was abandoned after a short trial. In all probability, this failure was due to the fact that the manpower requirements to enforce reservation of the lanes, utilizing prior art methods, were simply not within the realm of feasibility. By equipping bus drivers with the data acquisition apparatus of the subject invention, they could police and insure their right-of-way.

` It has become quite apparent that the present slowmoving and/or congested automotive traic conditions have many undesirable by-products which threaten the health, wealth and well-being of the urban populations. Chief amongst the hazards to health are the generation of excessive amounts of noxious fumes w-hich pollute the city air and the exacerbation of motorists nerves.

The presently preferred embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of the subject invention is basically a highly specialized camera; designed for the rapid acquisition of data pertinent to a traic or parking violation. The attendant data processing apparatusis an optico-mechanical-electronic complex to speedily process the data obtained from a multiplicity of data acquisition units.

It is an object of the subject invention to provide apparatus to help enforce parking regulations and other violations, therebyexpediting the flow of vehicular traic through city streets.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide apparatus for the rapid and economic acquisition of data relating to violations of traic and parking regulations for the purpose of punishing violators, thereby inhibiting said violations.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide apparatus to process said data; prepare and maintain records and dossiers; automatically levy fines against violators; prepare court calendars and summon violators to appear in court, if necessary.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a highly schematic elevational view of an embodiment of a data acquisition apparatus wherein data is recorded in both analog and digital form in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. lA is a sectional View as taken on the line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a sectional View as taken on the line B-B' of FIG. l;

FIG, 1C is a sectional view as taken on the line C-C' of FIG. l;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of suitable data allocation areas on a representative film frame as recorded by the apparatus embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a highly schematic elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a data acquisition apparatus wherein data is recorded essentially in digital form in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view as taken on the line A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a sectional viewy as taken on the line B-B of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3C is a sectional view as taken on the line C-C of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a digital data tab element adapted to facilitate acquisition of digital data by the data acquisition apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view as taken on the line A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of suitable data allocation areas on a representative film frame as recorded by the apparatus embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing interconnection of a data acquisition unit with a portable electrical power supply;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the major components of a suitable data processing system for use in conjunction with data acquisition units of subject invention.

FIG. l schematically illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus 2 incorporating camera-like components for recording data in both digital and analog form. The usual electro-optico-mechanical camera functions (which may be common to both versions of the data acquisition apparatus described herein) including such operations as film storage, lm transport, shutter and flash synchronization, frame counting, lens systems and focussing, et cetera, are well known to practitioners of the art and will not be discussed further. FIG. 1A shows, in section, the structure of the violation encoder means 4, wherein digitally encoded data indicative of a specific violation is recorded on a film frame 18, and associated means whereby date and time of violation are recorded on said film frame. For illustrative purposes, the violation encoder means 4 includes a manually rotatable knob whose circumference is suitably shaped in the form of a regular (circular) polygon with, say, sixteen sides; this will give one blank space and allow any one of fifteen different violations to be recorded. The desired list of violations are engraved, longitudinally along the flats of the external knob of violation encoder means 4. To encode a violation, the external knob of violation encoder means 4 is grasped between the thumb and forefinger and rotated until the index line on the sleeve 6 lines up with desired violation index line 8. To insure proper registration, an indexing device 10 such as the spring loaded ball bearing which seats into any one of sixteen depressions along the inner periphery of an opaquesleeve 6 is used. The actual encoding takes place by putting the violation into one-toone correspondence with a binary number; wherein a zero may be taken to be the absence of a light spot and a one its presence. By Way of illustration, a four digit natural binary code will be used; however, the number of binary digits or bits that may be used is limited only by the resolution obtainable'.y The sixteen possible binary cornbinations appear along extensions of the index lines 8 on the hollow shank 12 of violation encoder means 4. Torecord a binary one, a hole 14 is drilled where required in the opaque shank 12. Sleeve 6 has a set of four holes 15, one at each of the bit positions, to allow the coded light radiation from light source 16V to reach the film frame 18. The opaque circular plate 20 is attached to the bottom of the hollow shank 12 and mounts the socket for 16. As an example of digital data recording, let violation number one correspond to overtime Operation of the camera shutter flashes light source 16, thereby recording a binary 4 number one on the film frame 18 in area 22 (FIG. 2) which is reserved for violation data record; a sample record containing the binary equivalent of the decimal number one is shown in said area 22 of FIG. 2 (read as binary number 0001, from bottom to top).

The lower part of FIG. 1A illustrates a method of recording time and date of violation. A small calendar-type watch 23 is housed and positioned, face inwards, by the sleeve or bushing 24. Shutter synchronized light flash to illuminate the face of watch 23 is piped in via a bundle of liber optics 26. Time and data information from watch 23 is imaged onto film frame 18, by lens system 28, in area 30 which is reserved for this record (see FIG. 2).

A suitable photographic lens system, 35 mm. for example, is screwed into the threaded opening 32 shown on FIG. 1B. The license plate of the offending vehicle is imaged onto the area of film frame 18 reserved for license plate data recording 34; areas of film frame 18 not reserved for a specific purpose 36 record the background scene.

The lower part of FIG. 1C illustrates a method of digitally recording the identification of the complaining othcer. At the start of his tour of duty, the oflicer would slip the small opaque tube 38, which has his identification numbers binary equivalent encoded as a set of coded holes 14 longitudinally arranged and facing the film frame 18, into the opaque bushing 40. To insure registration of the set of coded holes 14 in the identification tube 38 with the set of holes 15 in bushing 40, which are drilled at every bit position, the identification tube 38 has a slot to mate with key 42 of Vbushing 40. The representative identication tube 38, shown on FIG. 1C, can code a four digit binary number; the binary number shown 0101 is equal to the decim-al number five, if read from bottom to top (refer also to area 44 of FIG. 2). The actual number of binary digits or bits, n, required for a given number of officers, N, may be obtained from the formula: N=2"-l. One hundred and eighty degrees away from the officer identification recording holes, both tube 38 and bushing 40 contain a larger opening to allow some of the radiation from light source(s) 16 to be transmitted via fiber optics 26 to face of Watch 23. The circular plate 48 is attached to the top of bushing 40 to maintain light integrity, to mount the socket for light source 16, and to seat tube 38. Screw cap 50 allows for insertion of identification tube 38 and holds same in place. In a similar fashion, area 52 of FIG. 2, which is presently unused, may be used for recording other data deemed pertinent, location of Violation, for example.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a variant of the subject invention which represents a shift from heretofore described digitalanalog form of data recording toward pure digital data recording. At the bottom of the essentially digital embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus 54, a flexible light trap 56 admits an auxiliary metal tab 58. By way of example, a suitable embodiment of a tab 58 is shown in FIGURES 4 and 4a and such is shaped to have all pertinent license plate data binary coded -by means of holes along one or more lines 60. FIGURE 4 shows the area 62 reserved for one such line of data 60. To prevent tampering with or mutilation of the punched digital data entries, that region of tab 58 should be coated with a tough, weather-resistant, and transparent plastic 64. In the event the tab 58 is not an integral part of the license plate, it may be provided with slots 66 for mounting on a specified or designated place on the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 3, light source 68 spans the length of the film fname 18 and fits into socket 70. The license plate data would be recorded in area 72 (see FIG. 5) reserved for same.

FIGURE 3A illustrates the method of recording the one bit of license plate data on line 60 at this particular crosssection and of reflecting some radiation from 68 upwards through circular disc 21. The reflector 74 is roughly a paraboloid of revolution, mutilated to facilitate passageI of tab 58 and radiation source 68. The interior of the violation record thumbwheel 4 and hollow shank 12 are suitably formed fand finished to promote coded light so as to simultaneously record digitally encoded violation data also when radiation source 68 is activated. Said light traverses set of apertures and set of coding holes 14 to record data on film frame 18.

FIG. 3B shows a method of recording date-time information, as before, except that a tube is joined to sleeve 24. Illumination of the face of 23 obtains by gathering some of the radiation of source 68 Via lens system 29. Recording of license plate digital data lying in this particular sectional plane is also shown.

FIGURE 3C shows the digital recording of officer identification data and the digital recording of license plate data lying in this sectional plane.

Other methods for recording digital data may be used, e.g., in lieu of source 16, coded holes 14, and apertures 15 (FIGS. 1A, 1C, 3A and 3C) a set of light-emitting diodes, one diode per bit of data to be recorded, is positioned in close proxmirnity to the film frame 18. The violation thumbwheel knob 4, for example, could then be used to actuate a rotary electric switch to channel electrical energy to a diode matrix so as to encode data in accordance with the one-to-one correspondence with violation. As another example, a linear matrix of light emitting diodes, one diode for each bit of license plate data to be recorded in area 62, could be used in lieu of source 68 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the diodes would be wired to flash simultaneously when data is to be recorded. A description of a representative matrix of light-emitting diodes is given in Light-Pulser Array Improves Data Recording, Electronics, page 139, vol. 38, No. 4 (1965).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 may be realized as a pure digital recording device by substituting a microminiaturized digital clock for watch 23. Clock readout could then consist of a suitable matrix of light-emitting diodes as described above.

Modes of operation In operation, a roll of film is loaded into the data acquisition apparatus as per usual camera practice. Film other than the usual photographic film (either conventional negative or Polaroid) may be utilized, e.g., Kalvar film which is sensitive to ultra-violet light or film (or thermoplastic) sensitive to infra-red radiation. Electrical energy requirements to activate subject apparatus are obtained from the portable power supply 76 via cable 78 (FIG. 6), the primary power is obtained from rechargeable batteries contained in power supply 76. Requisite electrical power generation, wiring, and switching techniques are well-known to practitioners of the art.

The officer identification tube 38 having been inserted into the apparatus as was the particular stationary violation, the summons generation operation may commence. Assume that the ofiicer comes upon a group of illegally parked cars. Officer turns violation insertion knob 4 to pertinent offense, focuses camera so that license plate of the first car appears in the viewing reticle of subject apparatus 2 as per area 34 of FIG. 2 and snaps the picture. Since internal light sources 16 are excited and flashed simultaneously with shutter operation, all pertinent data is recorded at once. The next film frame 18 is advanced and the apparatus is ready to record the next violation.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 allows even quicker data acquisition. After setting up pertinent violation via knob 4, the seating of tab 58 actuates switch 80 (FIGURE 3, section B-B) which fiashes light source 68 recording all data si-multaneously. Withdrawal of the apparatus 2 causes switch S0 to automatically advance the next film frame 18.

At the completion of a tour of duty, the exposed film rolls containing summons data, are taken to the local stations from thence to the central station that houses the data processing and recording apparatus of the subject invention. A Iblock diagram of the data processing center is shown in FIGURE 7. Exposed film containing summons data are brought from a multiplicity of collection points 81 to the film processor unit 82. The developed and fixed negatives then go to the data scanner unit 84 which extracts all the data from each film frame 18 in a roll in a sequential manner. This data flows to the data processing/computer control unit 86 (which controls all operations in the center), unit 86, typically, would contain small, fast, random access buffer memories to store all information pertinent to at least one summons. License plate data would be scanned first so that the large-scale, slower memory 88 has time to find the address position corresponding to said license plate data. The main memory 88 contains large-scale memory files containing information such as names, home addresses, drivers and vehicle numbers, previous violations, fines, dates, court calendars, et cetera. The negatives leave the data scanner unit 84 and go to the master summons unit 90 Where they are cut from the roll and mounted on a master summons card. The master summons cards go to the teletypewriter unit 92 wherein information, extracted from main memory 88, is typed thereon. Master summons are then distributed to the cognizant traffic courts 94. At the same time, duplicate summons blanks 96 are sent to teletypewriter 93 whereon pertinent information is typed in to summons Violators to pay fines or appear in court. Completed duplicate summons are sent to mailing machine 98 for delivery to offenders.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention and that numerous modifications and Variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A readily portable camera construction for photographically recording digitally encoded data relating to stationary automotive trafiic violations at the time of observation thereof by laW-enforcement personnel comprising:

a camera body member having photographic film frame supporting means and a selectively energizable light source disposed therewithin,

selectable traffic violation character identifying means mounted on said camera body and internally incorporating a plurality of discrete digitally encoded apertured areas each selectively deliueating a character of violation,

each of said last mentioned areas being selectively positionable in operative exposure bearing relation with a first selected location on a stationary film frame supported by said film frame supporting means and interposed between said first location on said film frame and a first discrete light path from said light source,

means included in said trafiic violation character identifying means extending externally of said camera body and manually manipulatable by the user thereof for effecting the selected positioning of said internally disposed aperture area portion thereof relative to said first location on said film frame to effect exposure of the selected digital data pattern at said first location upon actuation of said light source,

means included in said camera body for reception of removably insertable digitally coded means in operative exposure bearing relation with a second selected location on said film frame and interposed between said second location and a second discrete light path from said light source to permit exposure of a second digital data pattern to selectively identify the law-enforcement ofiicial utilizing the same upon actuation of said light source,

time identifying means mounted within said camera body in operative relation with a third location in said supported film frame and interposed between said film frame and a third discrete light path from said light source to permit exposure of Said film frame to time identifying indicia concurrently with the exposure of said film frame to said violation character and user identifying means upon actuation of said light source,

and means for exposing a fourth selected location on said suppported film frame to indicia identifying the offending vehicle concurrently with the exposure of said film frame to said violation character, time and user identifying means upon selective actuation of said light source by the law-enforcement ollicial utilizing said device to provide a unitary composite permanent record of the necessary particulars relative to a concurrently observed stationary traffic violation.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle identifying means includes lens means to expose said fourth location on said lm frame to an image of the license plate of the offending vehicle for recordation of an analog representation thereof.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle identifying means includes light trap means ineluded in said camera body for reception of an insert member bearing a digitally encoded representation of the offending vehicles license plate identification data thereon in operative relation with said fourth selected location on said supported film frame to effect concurrent exposure of said digitally encoded representation upon actuation of said light source.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,148,119 2/1939 Grist 95-.11 2,402,100 6/1946 Tonareau 95-11 2,602,369 7/1952 Tutu@ 95-1.1 2,619,402 11/1952 Mccutcheon 346-107 2,796,800 6/1957 Klemperer 95--1.1 2,815,438 12/1957 A6611 95-1.1 2,893,123 7/1959 Bach 33-46 3,032,766 5/1962 Weaver 95-1.1 3,069,682 12/1962 Reese 346*107 3,216,339 11/1965 Keuenberger 95-11 JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner. 

